Monday, March 31, 2014

Melting away the Clutter

It's amazing what you can find when you are looking for something else!

I was digging through one of my kitchen cupboards trying to pull out our George Forman Grill.  While doing so, I noticed this pot.  It is a double boiler for melting chocolate.  I bought this from one of those "in-home" parties -- which I think I hosted, just before moving to Michigan - that was almost 18 years ago.  I don't think I have ever used it.

My family will testify that I am a good cook, and there are several specialty pans that I have and use regularly - obviously this was not one of them.  So, it's time to Let it Go - I'm putting it in the Garage Sale - hopefully someone will find it and really enjoy cooking with it.

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Recorder #3

Can you believe I found a third tape recorder!!  What's up with this?!

I did not realize I was hanging on to all this outdated technology!!  I guess that is what this all about - letting go of those things I really don't need.

Friday, March 28, 2014

More out-dated technology heading out the door!

I can tell spring is on it's way!  My sinuses have stated to bother me. My nose is letting me know the weather is on the change. Praise the Lord!  I was so distracted tonight by how I feel - I almost forget to post today's Letting Go!

Today I am letting go of more out-dated technology.  When I was looking through the drawers in my office the other day - I found my old tape recorder.  This recorder has fond memories of taping conferences when I was selling Home Interiors and when I changed to selling Mary Kay.  It accompanied me all over the place.  Great memories - but I do not need to keep the recorder to hold on to them.

The recorder is just part of the possessions that is holding me back - causing me to not be able to focus on what is important.  I am finding as I clean up, I am not as distracted by clutter.  Trust me, I have a long way to go - but this project is helping me to develop a discipline.  I find I look at things different when I am shopping.  I am asking more questions of my need of the object - and many times I am saying no - not really and leave the store.  When I am buying something - I find myself thinking of what I will get rid of as I bring the new item home.  I know a lot of people have a rule of something coming in, means something is going out.  I think this is a really good idea.

I am adding recorder to the Goodwill bag. Hoping to drop a load off tomorrow morning.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Moving on from the Past

Tonight I had to do some looking around to decide what to let go.  I checked under the bathroom cabinet to see if there were any other treasures, but did not really find anything.

I decided to look through the drawers I have in my office and found a couple of items, and then I came across this index file - it is for planning weddings and knew this was the perfect thing I need to let go.

I used it for my first wedding in 1979 and my second in 1997 to track sent invites and RSVPs.  I think I was holding on to it, in case I needed an address - but since I have not looked into it since 1997 - I guess I was wrong.  I did not use it when Bill and I was married -- technology has improved.  I am definitely not planning on anything in the future - I've found the one I love.  Sorry, Bill - you are stuck with me...lol :-)

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

A Curl from the Past

To finish off my 80's look - I found my old perm curlers in the bathroom cabinet -- definitely will not be using these -- I was surprised to find them, I thought I had got rid of them years ago - but I guess not. I must have moved these two about 6 or 7 times.  More proof I really needed this Lenten Project.

They do remind me of when I was a child (I know I am going to date myself) - I remember every year before school started - my Mom would give me a Toni Perm.  I was always sooooo embarrassed by my curly hair - but now that I think of it - all my friends had the same thing.  

And of course curly hair was all the rage in the 80's -- I have a picture of my son and me -- I have those lovely red framed glasses from yesterday and a mass of permed hair - so funny.  I should scan the picture for Throw Back Thursday on Facebook some day....lol.

Well, I am not sure what I will do with them - wondering - could Goodwill use them or should I just throw them in the trash?  Hummm and I wonder if they are recycle-able - they are plastic?  If anyone knows, please leave a comment.

Update -- I just checked on Ebay -- would you believe people are buying these -- so I think I will put them up for sale -- could add to my Retreat Fund.


Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Getting Clear Vision

Cleaning out the bathroom cabinet and found my old glasses from the 1980's.  I found 3 pairs - 2 of them are in these HUGE RED frames - how funny!

I went on-line to find if there was a place close to me to donate glasses (and I have several glasses cases too).

I was surprised and delighted to find - there are 24 places in the Grand Rapids area!!  It's the Lions Recycle for Sight.  The Lions collect glasses to send all over the world to help those who need them the most.

What a great plan!  I get my cabinet cleaned out and help someone to have better sight to see God's beautiful world!

Monday, March 24, 2014

Making up for Missed Time

Well, I missed my first day of Letting Go.  Saturday after I returned home from my Mary Kay Career Conference I had every intention of doing my Letting Go.  I even thought about what I wanted to let go of, but as with the Disciples - the Spirit was willing, but the flesh was weak.  I was just so tired I could not keep my eyes open to finish the task.  I know being tired was no excuse - but now it's time to move on and get back on track.

Today we had a plumber in to work on our bathroom tub faucet.  We had to empty out the linen closet so he would have access to the plumbing in the wall.  I thought this would be a great time to check-out what all I have in the closet.  Today I will start with these two items -- one is my hot rollers -- I have not used them in about 7-8 years -- definitely time to pass them along.  The second is a make-up bag filled with all kinds of junk that was there when I moved in 2005 and 2008 -- a good sign I don't need anything in the bag -- the junk mostly will end in the trash - I will clean up the bag and put in the Goodwill pile along with the rollers.

Friday, March 21, 2014

From the Bottom of the Dresser Drawer

I'm posting early today, I leave for the Mary Kay Career Conference later this afternoon - and will be back tomorrow early evening.  It's an overnight - in Novi MI which is right outside of Detroit.  The Conference is a wonderful time to recharge my Mary Kay batteries, spend time with my Mary Kay girlfriends and learn more from the company.  I just love this weekend.

Today I am letting go of these variety of bags and such.  There is a lipstick holder, a cell phone holder, small purse and a bag you can use to pack items in for your purse or suitcase.  Yes, I am still finding items in my top dresser drawer.  At this rate, I may empty the whole drawer.  I'm putting these items in my garage sale box.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Moving into the 21st Century

Found more in my dresser drawer -- a tape recorder....really?!  Definitely don't need this any longer - I've moved into iTunes for my music and recordings on my iPad for meetings and conferences.

This made me think, I need to check some drawers in my office too - I might have another recorder and a personal CD player.

Packing for Goodwill.  They are going to love me in the morning.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

More from the dresser Drawer

Tonight I found a couple of belts in the dresser drawer - one came with a pair of jeans, and the shell belt I had bought to go with a special outfit.  There were even sandals to match the shell belt.  They might still be around here - but if memory serves me right they are not in the best of shape and if I find them, they may be headed for the trash.  But for tonight - these belts are going to the Goodwill pile.  I will need to make another delivery on Friday - the pile is getting a bit large.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

The Silly Things we Keep!!

Today's letting go is a perfect example of what this project is all about...

In my dresser drawer I found the bags that I was keeping from my Master Graduation cap and tassel when I graduated in 2009.  Just the bags...lol  I have my cap, tassel and gown packed away with other mementos from that day - so why was I keeping the bags in my dresser drawer?  Who know, but it is a perfect example of some of the little things I hold on to - for the memories.  I will never forget that day, I surely don't need the bags to keep the memories.  So, into the trash they go.

I am so happy I started this project - it has really made me take a long hard look at what I have around me, and why I have them.  I keep thinking of the man who Jesus told to sell all he has and give the money to poor and come follow him, the man went away sad because he had many possessions.  I ask myself, would I be able to give everything up and follow Christ if I was the person Jesus was talking to.  Well the truth is He is talking to me, He may not be asking me to sell all my things and give the money to the poor - but He is asking me to follow Him without all the "stuff" of this world.

Monday, March 17, 2014

The Luck of the Irish

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

In honor of my Irish Ancestors, I wanted to share a very special prayer from the Breastplate of St. Patrick:

Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
so that there may come to me abundance of reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.


This prayer has meant so much to me, it reminds me how Christ is all around me and in everyone that I meet.  May I always remember to keep this in mind in how I treat others.

Today I choose to begin going through the top drawers of my dresser.  I've hidden all kinds of little treasures in them - holding on to them for just in case I may need something.  There are items I need to keep, but most I will need to really ask myself - is this something I really need in my life, or just something that is cluttering my life.  I bet I will find enough items to let go of to last a week or more in these drawers -- lol. 

 I am letting go of these wallets -- I am not sure why I have hung on to them, I never reuse a wallet for some reason - it's time to pass them on to someone else who will enjoy them.  They are going into the garage sale box.  I really need to move this box to the basement - it is pretty full and taking up too much room in my office.  Who knows, once I have it moved, I may even discover other items in my office to let go.


Saturday, March 15, 2014

Purses!

Ok, I did it - kicking and screaming....(not really, but it did smart a little).

I went through my purses.  I probably kept more than I should have, but I am letting go of about half.

I'm going to put them on Facebook Garage Sale, if I still have them by May, they will go into my real garage sale.

Speaking of the garage sale - I found out that I can schedule St. Vincent DePaul to come and pick-up what I have left.  I think that will be much easier than taking them to Goodwill (where I might be tempted to leave some items at home - like a purse or two). :-)

Friday, March 14, 2014

Top of the Day to you

Back into my closet today - I found these tops to pass along - ready for Goodwill.

As you can see I am avoiding the purses...lol.  I know I will sooner or later need to get back to them.  I can feel that I am being challenged there - which I am not ready to face -- but to really truly to grow though this process -- I guess I need to go through the purses.  I think that will be tomorrow's give away..maybe.....

Thursday, March 13, 2014

Moving Into New Territory

Well, I've moved on to our closet in the bedroom.

Today I pulled out three pairs of dress pants and a brown skirt to give to the Women's Resource Center.  But, before I can donate them - I need to run them through the washer and dryer -- a good indicator of items I can let go of -- dust on them..ha!

As I reported yesterday - the response on my shoe cabinet was strong - even after I posted that it was sold, I had 5 more people say they were interested.  I'm waiting on the buyer to stop in yet this evening.  I decided with the money I earn from selling some of my items, to put it in a "retreat" fund for me to use to spend quiet time with God.  Sometimes it is so important to take a step away - unplug and be quiet to allow for God to speak to you.



Wednesday, March 12, 2014

First BIG Letting Go

Yahoo!!  I'm finally letting go of my Shoe Cabinet.

I bought it when I lived in the duplex and it worked as both a shoe cabinet and a bedside table.  Since moving here it was in the spare room - so I never put my shoes in it and it taking up space in my Mary Kay office.  Time to move it along.

I've put it up for sale on the FaceBook Grand Rapids Garage Sale for $10 - if you know of someone who could use it, let me know, I will be happy to pass it along (and if you/they are in Ohio - I'm coming down the first weekend in April - so I could bring it with me).  If I still have it by my garage sale date - it will be going in it.

 The only ones that will be sad to see it go is the kitties - they've been using it as perch to look out the window - oh well - we all need to make sacrifices.

***UPDATE**** I just checked my post in FaceBook - and I have already had about 10 people interested (the first one was about 2 minutes after I posted)!! Wow!! So I think it is safe to say that it's SOLD!

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

A Little Stretch

I will admit - tonight's letting go was a little hard for me.

Today I am letting go of this cute pair of shoes with matching purse.  I ordered these items with a cute skirt and top to make a complete outfit.  But the truth...the purse is a little too small for me (I have to have everything but the kitchen sink with me) and the shoes are too tight.  I think I've only used them once or twice.  So, I am letting go with a pouting face on and putting them in the garage sale pile.

And, when I get to my closet in our bedroom - I will need to find that cute skirt - because to be totally honest - the skirt is too short and too small....

Monday, March 10, 2014

Quick and Simple

Monday's are very busy for me.  I work until 4, run home and change to leave by 4:50ish to make my weekly Mary Kay meeting at 5:30 and not home again until around 7:30ish.  So, I was tempted not to post tonight - but I know there are a few of you checking in with me each day -- and you helped me to move past that temptation.  Thank you, thank you!!

Tonight, I am letting go of a picture I had hanging in the room that is now my Mary Kay office.  Before it was a guest room, this was one of the pictures I had hanging in there.

I will admit - this was an easy letting go for me - I know as I move into the basement there are pictures stored from when I was selling Home Interiors in which  I need to just let go - I will never hang them, but I really like them.  It will be a test for me to move past these items...

For today I'm putting this picture in the garage sale pile - which is really growing!!

Saturday, March 8, 2014

I'm giving it a lot of Sole!

You may recall - the other day when I gave the sheets away, I noted I had found them in a wicker hamper that also contained some shoes.  Today, I pulled out all those shoes -- 12 pairs and 1 flip flop.  Two pairs should have been thrown away when I packed them - but they were my favorites at the time and I could not get myself to let go of them - but now I am -- they are in the trash.  2 pair are going directly to Goodwill and the rest are set aside for the garage sale.  If they don't sell - I will take them to the Women Resource Center where I took the suits.  I went to see if I could find the match to the flip flop - as I was looking I bent the flip flop a little and it broke right in half!  Need-less-to-say it's in the trash too and if I can find it's match it will make it into the trash before trash day.  The slippers that in the front of the picture are white and not very clean - I'm going to try to wash them - if they don't come out ok - I guess it will be curtains for them too - otherwise they will go into the garage sale.

You might be wondering why am I giving away all my office clothes.  I am working as an Accounting Manager for a small manufacturer in Walker (for those who don't live in the area - Walker is just West of Grand Rapids - and is about 10 minutes from our home).  We make the cedar planks that restaurants use to grill fish and meat. They are also sold to Target and Meijers.  I wear jeans every day.  One because we are a very casual office, but also since the shop is right outside my door, there is a lot of dust. The owner brings his Boxer (Rosie) to work.  She loves to sleep under my desk and keeps me company.  Most days I come home with saw dust on my shoes and a paw print or two on my jeans.  I'm loving it!

Friday, March 7, 2014

Fabrics in Time!

Wow! What a day!  The sun was out and the temp got up into the 40's.  Life is good!  I took my donation to the Women Center and Goodwill today.  I think I actually feel lighter!  lol

Before
Few days ago I had asked if anyone knew of someone who could use some fabric.  Well, God answered my question.  On Thursday at my morning prayer group meeting, one of the ladies shared that her daughter and her was taking the granddaughters to Chicago this weekend to visit the American Girl Doll store to pick-out their dolls.  My friend commented that she got a sewing machine so she can make some clothes for the girl's dolsl.  Ding, Ding, Ding....went off in my head!  I asked her if she could use some fabric - and she said YES, she would love some fabric.  

So today I let go of the fabric in the closet in the office.  The before picture show the explosion that happened when I pulled the pile out of the closet!  Holy Molly what a mess!  And as I went through it I found fabrics I had bought to make maternity tops in 1980 when I was hoping to get pregnant.  I found a couple of half made stuffed gooses -- think the pink and blue stage we went through in the 80's.  I counted for most of this mess I have actually moved it 7 times!! 

 I bagged up some of the cuter fabric for my friend. 
After
And sorry, Jean and Jan - I have a couple yards of girly flannel to give to Mom - she said her 4H sewers could use it to make lap quilts for ladies at the Veteran Home.  And (don't tell Mom...) threw a bunch of it away - it was so old I did not even trust that is would be safe for someone to sew with, or such little pieces no one could use it - why I saved it in the first place, I have no idea.  All I kept was a little denim and some flannel for the denim quilts that I've made the last few years.  I still have a couple of people on my list I want to make a quilt, and I'd love to make one for myself one of these days.  I have the "after" to put back in the closet -- and now my sewing machines (yes, I have more than 1 - that will be another day of deciding of what to let go) can be store on top of the container.  I love it when a plan comes together!

I am actually seeing floor in the bottom of that closet!!

Thursday, March 6, 2014

Blessed by Less at it's Best

My letting go today is my book - Blessed by Less.

I've finished reading the book and enjoyed it so much, instead of putting it on my bookshelf - I decided to pass it on.

I thought of one of my best girlfriends.  Her mantra has always been "Less is More".  I've admired her for this outlook and how she is not caught-up in the consumerism that I have found myself.  I know she will enjoy this book.  It is much more than just letting go of "stuff".

So I've popped it in the mail - it's amazing how good it feels!

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Ash Wednesday

And so Lent begins.

This project I am doing for Lent is not all for getting my house in order, that is one of the side benefits.  I am hoping to with each donation, each giving to someone else I will step by step detach myself from the things around me to move my focus to the One who matters the most.

In a recent prayer group setting we studied "Consoling the Heart of Jesus" by Father Michael Gaitley - if you have not seen this material before, I highly recommend it - very eye opening and heart lifting.  But anyways, I digress, in this study we learned about the "First Principle" which is:

The First Principle and foundation teaches that we're made to live the "first thing" 
(a life of praise, reverence and service to God) by using "second things" (the other 
things on the face of the earth) only insofar as they help us to live the first thing.
                                                                                                               By St. Ignatius

And this is why I feel this Lenten Project will help me to move closer to God.  I know this will be a struggle each day -- I may not feel like doing it or be tempted to try to do several days at once.  This is where your help will come in.  By checking in on my blog and posting comments you will be helping me to stay accountable.  I hope that you may be inspired as I was when I read Susan's book and find this a blessing in your life too.

Today I took my more dresser dresses to the cedar closet downstairs, and found all my suits stored there.  I pulled out a couple to keep (you always need a nice blue suit on hand for funerals, etc) and prepared the rest along with a few of the tops I had to go with them to take to the Women's Resource Center on Friday.  The center offers for free, help to women who are looking for work from resume building, job searching, interview coaching and even clothing to wear for interviews.  I know someone will be bless by these suits and hopefully this clothing will give them the confidence to find the perfect position.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Closet Cleaning

 The author of Blessed by Less gave her items away by category - shirts, skirts, sweaters, etc.  I think for me it will be better to work by location.  I've started on the messy closet in my office.  As you can see lots of clothes and purses.  I've bagged up most of the clothes.  This was my overflow area and where I kept my good dresses for our fancier nights at Mary Kay Seminar.  I looked at the overflow items and there really wasn't anything there that I've worn in the past couple of years - so all of that is going.  As far as my fancy dresses - there was one that I don't wear - it's now in the bag.  I'm dropping them off at Good Will on Friday.  The balance of the dresses can be relocated into our cedar closet in the basement - it is a better place to store them anyways.

The purses will be another job - I LOVE purses -- I have several favorites in there and a few I like - but I will need to determine if I really truly use them.  I am predicting this is going to be challenging.

What you can't see is to the left is a BIG pile of fabrics from various projects - does anyone know of a good place to donate fabrics - they are all left overs so it is a few pieces here or a yard there -- and Jean and Jan you don't have to worry - none of it will go to Mom...lol.

The good news is once I have the closet better organized, perhaps I can use it more productively.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

Sundays

The author of Blessed by Less choose to use Sundays during her Lenten project as breaks.  She used this time for reflection on what it meant for what she let go of that week. 

I too will use Sundays the same way.  I will reflect on the progress of my project, how have letting go of these items help me to detach myself from the clutter in my home and how I can now use this detachment as a way to grow deeper in my faith.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Books!

I've got them all gathered up (and a few more that did not make the picture!  Like I said yesterday, I have a ton of these light hearted mysteries -- and this is only a small part of my whole library.  I know I was hanging on to them because I could not remember what I had read - there are several series here. So what did I do today -- I made a list!  Genius Right?!! 

I've posted them in the FaceBook Grand Rapids Garage Sale -- whatever I have left by the first weekend of May (when I've scheduled the Garage Sale) will go into there -- after that I will donate them.

I think I should go through all my cookbooks too - now that will be a challenge for me for I've loved collecting them -- but with the Internet -- I really don't refer to too many of them.